Gamescom apologises after criticism over response to indie developer hardware thefts

Gamescom organisers have issued a formal apology after facing widespread criticism for their initial response to a series of hardware thefts that hit indie developers during this year’s event in Cologne. In a new statement posted on social media, the organisers admitted that their first reaction “did not strike the right tone” and failed to show affected exhibitors the empathy they deserved.

The thefts were reported last week, with several independent developers saying laptops and other equipment had been taken from their booths. One developer said the loss effectively ended their show early, while two other studios reported that laptops had been taken overnight from the same business area. The incidents prompted an outpouring of support from across the industry, with offers of help arriving within hours of the news breaking.

Gamescom’s original response, in which it said it was “aware of stolen hardware” and understood “the frustration of affected exhibitors,” was met with further condemnation. Many perceived the statement as callously shifting blame onto exhibitors who had not adequately insured their equipment. The organisers have now conceded that this criticism was justified.

What the apology says

In the follow-up statement, Gamescom acknowledged that a theft of this kind is “far more than a material loss,” noting that it can ruin an entire show for the people it happens to and destroy work that took months or years to build. For a small studio, the statement added, such work “can be almost everything.” The organisers said they understood what the thefts had cost those affected and that they should have said so “from the very first moment.”

The apology also addressed the wider response from the industry, expressing gratitude for the support shown to affected exhibitors. However, Gamescom stressed that this generosity did not relieve the organisers of their own responsibility to work with exhibitors and partners to create the best possible environment. The statement committed to “jointly reviewing and further improving security.”

Planned security measures

Gamescom outlined several concrete steps in response to the incidents. Alongside its regular post-event review and evaluation of exhibitor feedback, the organisers said they would carry out a dedicated review of security specifically for indie exhibitors. In the coming weeks, they will also invite organisers of shared indie booths to a roundtable, with the aim of developing concrete measures together.

The organisers urged any exhibitor who experienced an incident to report it, both to Gamescom and to the police, even if it happened some time ago. They added that they had already begun talking with those affected, about the thefts and their consequences, and above all to listen.

Questions over compensation

What the apology does not address is any possibility of compensation for affected exhibitors. When contacted for clarification, Gamescom’s organisers were asked how many incidents had been reported, whether any compensation had been investigated or offered, and what vetting and oversight security staff were subject to. The response referred only to the two published statements about the incidents, without providing further details.

The organisers closed their apology by reaffirming their commitment to improving the event, stating that their aim had always been to make Gamescom better together with the community, not just when things go well. No figure for the number of thefts has been confirmed, and no details have been given on whether any exhibitors have received financial support.